Dear Carol,

With all due respect, most of us are "sheltered" sort of speak when it comes to "knowing" the ongoings of dietary customes the world over.  There are millions of buddhist, hindus, yogis, and many other peoples who aren't associated with a religion but practice vegeterianism for health, ethical, and environmental reasons.  Many of these vegeterians live long healthy lives without ever eating flesh in their entire life!  There are countless examples of such people in modern times.  And I have personally known quite a few of these vegeterians myself.

Regards, ORestes.